by our College Data Analytics Team
[Communication Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying communication media studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose communication media studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Depauw University the top school for communication media studies graduate earnings in Indiana. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Depauw University make a median of around $64,923 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $58,742 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $63,211 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Marys College one of the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,387.
Strong graduate earnings at Valparaiso University earned it the #5 place for communication media studies. Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Valparaiso University make a median of around $56,864 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #6 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,998.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $47,095 annually.
Indiana University East placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Indiana University East make a median of around $48,478 per year.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a public institution. After graduating, communication media studies degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest typically earn about $41,186 annually.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying communication media studies schools. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a public institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of about $44,585 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #11 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,183.
Ball State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for communication media studies. Ball State University is a public school located in the city of Muncie. Communication Media Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $49,909 a year early in their careers.
Hanover College landed the #13 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. Communication Media Studies graduates of Hanover College earn a median of about $52,270 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #14 position for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from University Of Southern Indiana make a median of around $53,266 per year.
Indiana State University came in at #15 for communication media studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,519.
University Of Indianapolis landed the #16 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students who complete the communication media studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,793.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #17 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Indiana University Southeast make a median of around $45,563 per year.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #18 spot for communication media studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a public institution. Early-career communication media studies graduates from Purdue University Northwest make a median of around $45,137 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries communication media studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 18 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.